Petunia plant named `Caschika`

ABSTRACT

The petunia cultivar `Caschika` is particularly characterized by vigorous growth and continued flowering under hot summer conditions and in mild winters; a long garden season with flowering from early spring until late winter; prolific growth with vigorous green-gray (R.H.S. 137B) foliage and pink-lavender (R.H.S. 78A) flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of petuniaknown by the cultivar name `Caschika`.

`Caschika` was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor in acontrolled breeding program in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in 1995. Thefemale parent was a proprietary line designated CV 42 and the maleparent was a proprietary line designated CV 13. `Caschika` wasdiscovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross by the inventor Gaby Danziger in May 1995 in a controlledenvironment in Mishmar Hashiva.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Caschika` was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June1995 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva by the inventor.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in September 1995has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for `Caschika` are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

`Caschika` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, withoutany variation in genotype. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe the plants grown in Mishmar Hashiva undergreenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Caschika` which in combination distinguishthis petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Excellent garden performance under full sunlight and also suitablefor indoor usage.

2. Good weather tolerance including vigorous growth and flowering underhot weather conditions and continued flowering through moderate winters.

3. Prolific growth with vigorous green-gray foliage. p 4. Numerouspink-lavender (R.H.S. 78A) flowers of medium size. The cultivar flowersearly in the growing season.

5. Long garden season maintaining growth and flowering from early springuntil late winter.

6. The cultivar is not particularly susceptible to common petuniadiseases.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to `Caschika` is `Charisma`. In comparison to `Charisma`,however, `Caschika` has better garden performance due to its vigorousgrowth and distinctive flower color. Unlike `Charisma`, the cultivar`Caschika` continues to flower during moderate winter conditions.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Caschika`, with the color being as true as possiblewith illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a side view of a typical specimen of the variety `Caschika`showing the abundant flowering, distinctive flower color and plantshape.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00-12:00 a.m. on January, 1996 under full sunlight atMishmar, Hashiva.

Classification:

Botanical.--Petunia hybrid.

Commercial.--Petunia cultivar.

`Caschika` plant:

Growth habit.--Prolific and fast growing.

Plant height.--8-10 inches.

Spreading area.--30 inches.

Blooming period.--Throughout year.

Stem:

Thickness.--2-3 mm.

Color.--Green (R.H.S. 137B).

Pubescence.--Yes.

Branching.--Free.

Length of internode.--10-20 mm.

Leaf:

Arrangement on stem.--Alternate.

Shape.--Ovate.

Size.--Length: 75 mm. Width: 50 mm.

Thickness.--0.2 mm.

Color.--Green-Gray (R.H.S. 137B).

Pubescence.--Yes.

Flower:

Orientation at opening.--Upright.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Regular and rounded with a united corolla that has 5 lobes and along straight tube.

Diameter.--40-50 mm.

Color.--Upper surface: Pink-lavender (R.H.S. 78A), dark eye (R.H.S.83B). Lower surface: Pink-lavender (R.H.S. 78A).

Peduncle.--Length: 15-20 mm. Color: Green (R.H.S. 137B).

Reproductive organs.--Pistil: Number: 1. Color: Green (R.H.S. 138C).Stamens: Number: 5. Anther: Gray-Blue (R.H.S. 96C). Filament: Green(R.H.S. 138D).

Disease resistance: The `Caschika` is not particularly suspectible tocommon diseases of petunia.

I claim:
 1. A new cultivar of petunia plant named `Caschika` as hereinshown and described.